1. How do scientists learn about the natural world?
In this unit, you’ll find out how people have used, and continue to use, their curiosity and intelligence to discover the mysteries of science and nature. What hidden worlds do scientists see through microscopes? Why do rattlesnakes rattle? What jobs have robots begun to do? How do hot-air balloons work? What causes a hurricane? The answers to these questions and more lie ahead. What scientific exploration do you have in mind?
C. Thomas, 5th Grade, Fairmont Charter School

2. If you could be a scientist, what would you study
If you could be a scientist, what would you study? What do you think the scientist in the photograph is studying?

3. How have scientific discoveries improved people’s lives?

4. cooperation discoveries equipment
In These Robots Are Wild!, you’ll learn the role cooperation plays in scientific discoveries, as well as how scientists use special equipment in their work. More specifically, you’ll find out how scientists have developed a new generation of robots that will play an increasing role in scientific explorations.

5. investigating Key Words A person who is inves-
Unit 5 ● Week 3
investigating
A person who is inves-
tigating is looking closely at someone or
something to gain information.
What are some professions in which people often
are investigating things?

6. observed Key Words Observe means to watch closely or carefully.
Unit 5 ● Week 3
observed
Observe means to
watch closely or carefully.
What animals do you like to observe?

7. inhibit Key Words To inhibit something is to hold it back or stop it.
Unit 5 ● Week 3
inhibit
To inhibit something is to
hold it back or stop it.
Would you vote for a leader who you thought would
inhibit your freedom? Why or why not?

8. conquer Key Words When you
Unit 5 ● Week 3
conquer
When you
conquer, you achieve a victory through great
effort or force.
What is a synonym for conquer?

9. insight Key Words If you have insight,
Unit 5 ● Week 3
insight
If you have insight,
you are able to understand the truth or importance
of an event or situation.
How are the words insight and intelligence similar? How
do they differ?

10. except Function Words & Phrases In English, we use
Unit 5 ● Week 3
except
In English, we use
except to describe things that are different or unusual.
Except means “different, or apart from.”

11. jam-packed Function Words & Phrases In English, we use
Unit 5 ● Week 3
jam-packed
In English, we use
jam-packed to describe a very crowded place. Jam-packed
means “very crowded and close together.”

12. to become popular (used by lots of people, not to be a popular person)
Function Words & Phrases
Unit 5 ● Week 3
to become popular (used by lots of people, not to be a popular person)
In English, we use to become popular to describe things that many people like to have. To become popular means “to become liked and used by many people; in style.”

13. go into tight spots Function Words & Phrases In English, we use
Unit 5 ● Week 3
go into tight spots
In English, we use
go into tight spots to describe going into small spaces.
Go into tight spots means “to be able to fit or squeeze
through a small opening.”

14. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 3
lobster

15. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 3
crab

16. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 3
scorpion

17. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 3
cockroach

18. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 3
spider

19. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 3
grasshopper

20. Vocabulary Words
investigating observed inhibit
conquer insight